I Dare You! To Make a Difference

I Dare You...To Make A Difference!

For a ministry like Providing Hope to remain effective it is imperative that we continue to have volunteers with a passion for transformation volunteer their time, talents, and treasure to minister to the incarcerated. Since becoming a part of this ministry several years ago I have been blessed at the dedication displayed by those in the Providing Hope Ministries family.

In 2012 that incredible dedication has continued, but like anywhere else people have to move on to other areas that are demanding their attention. With that said we have some rare ministry opportunities available in the prison for those that may have an interest. Currently we have some weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly volunteer opportunities. If you have the time and the passion for a life changing endeavor we have the opportunity and we will provide the training.

Here are the current ministry opportunities available immediately:

Weekly worship service for the male inmates on Sunday at 5:00 P.M. on the 4th and/or 5th Sunday each month.


Weekly worship service for the female inmates on Sunday at 6:00 P.M. on the 2nd Sunday each month.

A bi-weekly male Bible Study that is held on Saturday evening at 8:30 P.M. You would be partnering with a current volunteer and would alternate weeks with him.

I also need a dedicated and consistent person to facilitate our " Inside Out Dads" fathering class on Wednesday afternoon at 3:30 P.M. We have all the materials and teaching outline for you to use this proven program that was created by the National Fatherhood Initiative.

We are also currently forming a select group of transitional coaches to work closely with inmates that have been identified by the newly formed reentry committee as individuals that need faith-based support in their overall re-integration strategy. If selected you would be assigned an inmate(s) to meet with several times while they are still incarcerated and then continue that coaching relationship once they are released. You would be a crucial member of a team that would be committed community transformation. We will provide the training and support you bring the passion and dedication to see lives changed. Contact me for more details about this special opportunity.

If you are interested here is what you will need to do:

Fill out an application.
Pass a security background check.
Agree to the Providing Hope Ministries philosophy of ministry and to abide by our volunteer guidelines.

Here is what we will provide you:

A copy of the book "Prison Ministry" by Len (the best single volume book on practical and cultural aspects of prison ministry)

Quarterly volunteer training.

Ongoing support to equip you to minister in the correctional system.

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to call or email me. The email address is: providinghopeministries@gmail.com or call me at (570) 817-7983.

The Imperfect Journey

One of the most difficult things to do in prison ministry is to quantify "results" of our activity as chaplains. I could share with you numbers and data to try and describe what is actually happening on a daily basis, but it still falls short of telling the real story of the day to day transformation that can and does occur.

It is important for us to share REAL stories of REAL people and about their pursuit of God while incarcerated regardless of how messy it is sometimes. For those of us in the trenches on a daily basis we are not intimidated or distracted by the imperfect journey. I recently heard someone say that a follower of Christ is not defined by perfection but by PERSEVERANCE!

Here is a snapshot of that journey from the inside:

" The Lord has sent me a blessing, I was completely misguided until my celly came and I realized the importance and his role in my life. He is extremely knowledgeable of the Bible, be it through studies or just common knowledge, and has brought me through some of my hardships. Though he snores like a bear, its David pinned Goliath and I'm winning the fight with the swords you've provided and the armor the Lord has dealt me. Thank you and please continue to pray for my safe return to His sight I'm still studying, but at least NOW I know who GOD is." ---- A.B.

That is the voice of a young man who is on a continuous search for truth and as he continues to ask questions he is being drawn closer to God each and every step along the way.

We have the incredible privilege to see things just like this on a daily basis. It is your continued prayers and financial support that will enable and empower us to continue this ministry in the Luzerne County Correctional Facility. Keep praying and keep pursuing for yourselves to know God for who is really is!

Blessings,

Rev. Jim Wilbur, D.Min.
Executive Chaplain